Utility assembly and coupling mechanism

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure concerns a coupling mechanism for detachably attaching two or more utility modules to one another, utility assembles, mobile carriers and other attachable modules and articles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/826,232, filed Nov. 29, 2017, and entitled “Utility Assemblyand Coupling Mechanism,” which is a continuation of PCT Application No.PCT/1L2017/050481, filed Apr. 30, 2017, and entitled “Utility Assemblyand Coupling Mechanism,” which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/459,076, filed Feb. 15, 2017, and entitled “UtilityAssembly and Coupling Mechanism,” and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/330,334, filed May 2, 2016, and entitled “Utility Assembly andCoupling Mechanism,” each of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a container assembly and morespecifically to a utility assembly comprising two or more detachablyattachable utility modules. The disclosure is further concerned with acoupling mechanism facilitating detachably attaching the utility modulesto one another.

The term ‘utility module’ is used hereinafter in its broad meaning andis meant to denote a variety of articles such as, storage containers,travel luggage, tool boxes, organizers, compacted work benches, cablestorage, tools (e.g. hand tools, power generators and power sources),communication modules, carrying platforms, locomotion platforms, etc.,of any shape and size, and wherein any utility module can be detachablyattached to any other utility module.

The term ‘utility assembly’ as used herein denotes any set of utilitymodules configured for articulation to one another, either as astationary unit or locomotive.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A first aspect of the disclosure concerns a coupling mechanismconfigured for readily detachably attaching any first article to anysecond article, wherein any first article and any second article can beany utility module.

The coupling mechanism comprises a male coupler at a face of one of thefirst utility module and the second utility module, and a female couplerat a face of the other one of the first utility module and the secondutility module, said female coupler has a depressed locking locationconfigured with at least one locking rib extending above a depressedsurface and along a sliding path, and having an open edge facing in afirst sense; said male coupler has a projecting locking locationdisposed in register with said depressed locking location and configuredwith at least one locking tongue extending along said engaging slidingpath at a second sense, opposite to said first sense, and configured forarresting engagement at a space between said locking rib and depressedsurface, the coupling mechanism further comprises at least one lockingmember for arresting the first utility module with respect to saidsecond utility module and preventing sliding displacement along saidsliding path.

The arrangement is such that at a locked position of a utility assemblythe at least one locking tongue of the male coupler engages below saidat least one locking rib of the female coupler and the at least onelocking member is engaged, thus preventing any respective displacementbetween the first utility module and the second utility module, andretaining the coupling mechanism at an engaged and locked position.

The term ‘first utility module’ as used herein denotes any utilitymodule bearing at least one second utility module over a first surfacethereof. The second utility module of a utility assembly may comprisethree or more stages of utility modules, and functions as first utilitymodule with respect to a third stage utility module mounted thereoverand serving in turn as a second utility module.

According to certain embodiments, one or more female couplers areconfigured at the top face of the first utility module, and one or moremale couplers are configured at the bottom face of the second utilitymodule

The disclosed subject-matter is directed to a utility module configuredwith at least one of a male coupling mechanism and a female couplingmechanism of the disclosure, a module assembly comprising one or moreutility modules of the aforementioned type and a set of utility modulesof the aforementioned type.

According to a configuration of the first aspect, there is provide autility assembly comprising at least a first utility module and at leasta second utility module, and comprising a coupling mechanism configuredbetween the first utility module and the second utility module; saidcoupling mechanism comprising at one of a top face of the first utilitymodule and a bottom face of the second utility module one or moredepressed locking locations each configured with a locking rib, and atleast one locking latch arresting location; and the other one of saidtop face of the first utility module and a bottom face of the secondutility module comprises one or more projecting portions each configuredwith a locking tongue disposed in register with said one or moredepressed locking locations, and at least one locking latch disposed inregister with said at least one locking latch arresting location.

The arrangement is such that, at a locked position, the bottom face ofthe second utility module at least partially rests over the top face ofthe first utility module, and the one or more projecting tongues arearrested by the corresponding one or more locking ribs, and the at leastone locking latch is arrested by corresponding at least one lockinglatch arresting location, thereby preventing sliding displacementbetween the first utility module and the second utility module, andfurther wherein disengaging the second utility module from the firstutility module is facilitated by disengaging the at least one lockinglatch from the at least one locking latch arresting location.

Locking engagement between the second utility module and the firstutility module is obtained when the one or more depressed lockinglocations and the one or more projecting portions are disposed behindone another (though not necessarily aligned).

According to a particular configuration of the coupling mechanism, theone or more depressed locking locations and the one or more lockinglatch arresting locations are configured at the top face of the firstutility module, and the one or more projecting portions and the at leastone locking latch are configured at the bottom face of the secondutility module. According to this configuration, locking between thefirst utility module and the second utility module is obtained bypositioning the second utility module over the second utility modulesuch that one or more locking tongues of the projecting portions engageswith one or more respective locking ribs of the depressed lockinglocations, and wherein the locking latch interlocks with the respectivelocking latch arresting location.

The arrangement being such that the attaching engagement between thesecond utility module and the first utility module takes place when theone or more locking tongues and the corresponding one or more respectivelocking ribs are engaged, thereby preventing vertical separation betweenthe utility modules (i.e. preventing lifting of the second utilitymodule of the first utility module), and further when the locking latchis arrested by the respective locking latch arresting location, therebypreventing sliding displacement of the utility modules one with respectto the other (i.e. sliding displacement of the second module over thefirst module).

Disengaging the second utility module from the first utility module canbe facilitated only after disengaging the locking latch from saidlocking latch arresting location. According to a second aspect of thedisclosure there is disclosed a coupling mechanism for a utilityassembly comprising at least a first utility module and at least asecond utility module, said coupling mechanism is configured between thefirst utility module and the second utility module and comprises at oneof a top face of the first utility module and a bottom face of thesecond utility module with at least one depressed locking locationconfigured with a locking rib, and at least one locking latch arrestinglocation; and the other one of said top face of the first utility moduleand a bottom face of the second utility module comprises at least oneprojecting portion with a locking tongue disposed in register with saidat least one depressed locking location, and at least one locking latchdisposed in register with said at least one locking latch arrestinglocation; and wherein at a locked position the bottom face at leastpartially rests over the top face, and the at least one projectingtongue is arrested by the corresponding at least one locking rib and theat least one locking latch is arrested by corresponding at least onelocking latch arresting location, and further wherein disengaging thesecond utility module from the first utility module is facilitated bydisengaging the at least one locking latch from the at least one lockinglatch arresting location.

Engaging the first and second utility modules into the locked positionis provided by sliding the second utility module with respect to thefirst utility module along a sliding path defined by at least one ofsaid at least one locking rib and said at least one locking tongue.

According to one particular configuration the at least one locking ribextends substantially parallel to the sliding path and according toanother configuration the at least one locking rib extends substantiallyperpendicular and intersects the sliding path. A third aspect of thepresent disclosure is directed to a utility module being a mobilecarrier unit and comprising at least one carrier engagement surface,compatible for interlocking engagement in a detachable manner with afirst engagement surface of a utility module.

The term carrier unit as used herein denotes any kind of propelled cartconfigured for detachably attaching and carrying load. The carrier unitmay be a hand cart, a mobile tool cart, a mobile workshop, travelingluggage cart, a trolley, etc.

With particular reference to the third aspect, the carrier engagementsurface can be larger than the utility module's first engagement surfacecorresponding with it. In this case, several utility modules may beinterlocked simultaneously upon one carrier unit. According to oneconfiguration there is disclosed a carrier unit comprising amanipulating arrangement, a locomotion system, and an engagement surfacecomprising one or more engaging elements. The carrier unit is designatedfor detachable interlocking engagement with one or more utility modules,each comprising a first engagement surface configured with one or morefirst engaging elements compatible for detachable interlockingengagement with the carrier engaging elements.

According to yet configuration there is disclosed an assembly comprisinga carrier unit comprising an engagement surface comprising one or moreengaging elements, and at least one utility module configured with atleast one first engagement surface comprising one or more first engagingelements compatible for detachable interlocking engagement with thecarrier unit's engaging elements.

According to a modification of this aspect, there is also provided acontainer unit comprising a top member configured with a secondengagement surface of the utility module, said top member, according toone example constitutes a cover of the utility module.

The arrangement is such that a container unit can be readily and easilyapplied over and interlockingly articulated to a carrier unit, or over autility module configured with a second engagement surface mimicking thefirst engagement surface second engagement surface mimicking the firstengagement surface of the carrier unit.

Engagement between the carrier unit and the container, and furtherbetween two containers, is facilitated by any locking mechanism of thedisclosure hereinabove and hereinafter.

According to a specific example, there is a latching mechanism, whereinthe first engaging elements of the carrier unit are configured forinterlocking engagement with engaging elements of the mating surface ofthe respective utility module. The latching mechanism may assume variousconfigurations, e.g. male-female couplings, dovetail couplings, and thelike. The arrangement being such that only a minor displacement isrequired in order to lockingly mount, and respectively detach, a utilitymodule over the carrier unit.

According to one specific configuration, the detachable interlockingengagement mechanism between the carrier engaging elements and theutility module's first engaging elements is a dovetail engagementmechanism, comprising laterally projecting shoulders configured on oneof the carrier engagement surfaces and the first engagement surface of autility module, and a shoulder receiving recess configured on the otherone of one of the carrier engagement surfaces and the first engagementsurface of a utility module; where said laterally projecting shouldersare configured for sliding engagement with said shoulder receivingrecess.

According to a particular configuration, one or both of the carrierengagement surfaces and the first engagement surface of a respectiveutility module are configured with depressions, each accommodatingrespective laterally projecting locking shoulders.

Said dovetail engagement mechanism members constitute said engagingelements, wherein said carrier engaging elements comprise one of saiddovetail engagement members, while the utility module's first engagingelement comprises the respective said dovetail engagement member.

According to another configuration, the detachable interlockingengagement mechanism between the carrier engaging elements and theutility module's first engaging elements is an undercut engagementmechanism, comprising lateral projections configured on one of thecarrier engagement surfaces and the first engagement surface of acontainer unit, and a receiving recess configured on the other one ofone of the carrier engagement surfaces and the first engagement surfaceof a utility module; where said lateral projections are configured forengagement with said receiving recess. Interlocking engagement of theutility module and the carrier unit takes place by placing the firstengagement surface of a utility module over the carrier engagementsurface, such that the utility module's first engaging elements aredisposed shifted over the respective carrier engaging elements of thecarrier unit, and are then slidingly shifted to obtain slidinginterlocking engagement therebetween.

The detachable interlocking engagement mechanism may further comprise alocking mechanism configured for preventing unintentional detaching ofthe slidingly engaging elements once they are fully interlocked, i.e. toprevent detaching of the utility module from the carrier unit or fromanother utility module.

According to one configuration, the locking mechanism, comprises alocking pin that is configured for snapingly protruding from one of theengagement surfaces into a designated nook on the other engagementsurface. This prevents the engaging surfaces from sliding relatively toeach other, and by that it prevents said engaging elements from beingslidingly separated once interlocked.

According to one configuration, the carrier engagement surface of thecarrier unit constitutes a top wall of the carrier unit, when thecarrier unit is balanced horizontally to the ground, and wherein theutility module's first engagement surface constitutes a bottom wall ofthe container unit, when the utility module is balanced horizontally tothe ground. The utility module can further comprise a second engagementsurface constituting its top wall, or a cover, when the utility moduleis balanced horizontally to the ground. The second engagement surface ofthe utility module simulates the carrier engagement surface as it iscompatible for engaging with another utility module's first engagementsurface.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations,can be implemented in a utility module, a utility assembly, lockingmechanism, and the carrier unit and assembly according to the presentdisclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof:

A single locking rib can extend at rear end of a depressed lockinglocation (i.e. the female coupler may comprise a single locking rib) andsubstantially perpendicular to the sliding path;

Two locking ribs can extend at side edges of a depressed lockinglocation (i.e. the female coupler may comprise two locking ribs) anddisposed substantially parallel to the sliding path;

Two locking ribs can each extend at a respective side edge of twoneighboring depressed locking locations, said locking ribs disposedsubstantially parallel to the sliding path;

The utility assembly can be modular wherein a top face of a firstutility module can interlock with a bottom face of a second utilitymodule disposed thereover in a substantially fully overlapping relation,or with a bottom face of at least one second utility module onlypartially overlapping therewith;

A second utility module overlapping a significant portion of a firstutility module can be configured with a single release latch fordisplacing several locking latches articulated therewith;

Two or more second utility modules can be mounted over a first utilitymodule, each being independently detachable attachable over the firstutility module;

The at least one second utility module is configured for snap-typelocking over the first utility module;

A release latch for displacing the locking latch into disengagement fromthe locking latch arresting location can be disposed at a front face ofthe respective second utility module;

The at least one locking latch and the at least one locking latcharresting location can be disposed at a front portion of the respectiveutility modules;

At least one of the first utility module and the second utility moduleare configured with a gliding surface facilitating displacement andpositioning the respective second utility module at the locking positionwith respect to the first utility module;

The gliding surface reduces tolerances between the projecting portionand the depressed locking location receiving same;

One or both of the locking tongue and locking rib can be configured witha slanting surface at corresponding orientation, along the sliding path,for reducing or substantially elimination tolerance therebetween;

One or both of a front edge of the projecting portion and acorresponding front edge of the depressed locking location can beslanted for gliding positioning of the second utility module into truelocking position over the first utility module;

The locking latch can be configured for displacement in a directionsubstantially normal to a respective face of a utility module;

The locking latch can be spring biased and configured for normallyprojecting from a face of the respective first or second utility module;

The locking latch can be manipulable to be opened through an openingconfigured at a front wall of the respective utility module;

Corners of the utility modules can be reinforced;

One or more of the utility modules can be a container module, and theutility assembly can be a container assembly/tool caddy;

The container module can be compartmented and can be configured withsub-containers and sub-compartments;

The top face of the container module can be configured as a lid or as afunctional component of the container module;

A lid of a second container can be opened also when articulated andlocked in position over a first container;

A lid of a first container can be opened also when a second container isarticulated and locked in position thereabove;

At least one of the container modules can be a locomoting container andcan be configured with an arrangement for locomoting said containermodule. Where the locomoting container is attached to other containermodules it can facilitate for locomoting the utility assembly;

The container modules can be configured with carrying arrangementdisposed at any one or more of its faces. According to a particularconfiguration, a front face of the container modules is configured witha carrying handle and according to another configuration side faces ofthe container modules can be configured with a carrying handle;

Examples of utility modules can be any one or more of a cooler box, aworkpiece grip, a power supply (e.g. power bank, generator), hand tools,power tools, a locomotive platform (e.g. a work dolly), powered or not,a tactical unit (e.g. military gear, scientific equipment,communications equipment, personal gear, outdoor gear, etc.);

A tool caddy can be configured with a carrying handle (e.g. telescopic);

A utility module can be a soft-shell container with at least a rigidface portion configured with a male/female coupler;

The utility module can be an interface coupling module, i.e. functionsonly as a coupling interface;

The interface coupling module can be attached to a surface of anyelement or object and by different arrangements, fixedly or detachably;

The interface coupling module can be a cargo interface module for autility vehicle, so as to attach one or more utility modules to thevehicle;

The cargo interface module can be a bed cargo module, a roof rackmodule, etc.;

The interface coupling module can be a surface mount for attachingutility modules, e.g. a floor mount, wall mount, wall rack, etc.;

The interface coupling module can be a tool mount/rack;

The interface coupling module can be belt mount for mounting of utilitymodules (e.g. a hand tool) to a workers belt;

The interface coupling module can be an interface mount module forcoupling two utility modules to one another, e.g. for articulating twoutility modules, both configured with a similar male coupler or a femalecoupler, and wherein the interface mount module is configured at bothfaces with another of male coupler or a female coupler;

The interface coupling module can be a back pack carrying module, forfacilitating attachment and carrying of utility modules;

A top face of a utility module can be configured with a carrying handle,said carrying handle displaceable between a stowed position and acarrying position, wherein at the stowed position said carrying handleat least partially extends within a niche and does not to interfere withthe coupling mechanism;

The carrier unit may include one or more auxiliary engagement surfacespositioned on an exterior face of the carrier unit. For example, anauxiliary engagement surface can be configured at a bottom face of thecarrier unit;

The carrier unit may include a second engagement surfacesimulating/mimicking the first engagement surface of the utility module;

A utility module may be configured with one or more auxiliary first andsecond engagement surfaces;

The carrier engagement surface may be a connectivity platform detachablyattached to the exterior surface of the carrier unit, facilitating acart unit or a carrier unit according to the present disclosure;

One or both of the utility module's first and second engagement surfacesmay be detachably attached to an exterior surface of the utility module;

The carrier engagement surface and the utility module's first engagementsurface may be like elements;

The utility module's first and second engagement surfaces may be likeelements;

The carrier unit's engaging elements and the utility module's firstengaging elements may be similar elements;

One engagement surface may include several engaging elements and onelocking mechanism;

The coupling mechanism is configured for spontaneous displacement intolocking engagement within a locking receptacle, wherein manualinterference is required only for unlocking the locking mechanism anddetaching a utility module from a respective utility module or carrierunit;

The coupling mechanism can be a spring biased locking pin, normallyprojecting from a respective engagement surface;

One or both of the carrier unit and the utility module may furtherinclude a locking mechanism designated to prevent unintentionalseparation of the engagement surfaces while they are interlocked;

The locking mechanism is manipulable between an unlocked position inwhich said engagement surfaces may slide upon each other, and a lockedstate in which the engagement surfaces may not slide upon each other;

The locking mechanism may be configured with a biasing mechanism forsnap arresting at least at its locked state;

The locking mechanism may be configured with a manually operatedactivating portion for switching between said unlocked and lockedpositions.

The carrier unit may be assembled together with other carrier units thesame way it's assembled with the utility modules;

The locomotion system of the carrier unit may comprise a wheel system(e.g. axially fixed roller wheels, swivel wheels, etc.), a slidingplatform, caterpillar tracks, etc;

The locomotion system of the carrier unit comprises, according to aparticular example, several fixed axis wheels, wherein the perimeter ofsaid wheels is tangent with a base edge of the carrier unit;

At an assembled configuration, where one or more utility modules areattached to the carrier unit, the assembly can be positioned verticallywherein a side face of the one or more containers rest over a supportingsurface. According to a particular example, at this position the carrierunit and container assembly are configured with stability members forretaining their stability while positioned vertically to the ground;

The carrier unit may be stable while positioned horizontally to theground, by a support system projecting from a bottom face thereof. Thesupport system may comprise friction enhancing surfaces to restrictdisplacement of the assembly while placed over a bearing surface;

The carrier unit may be foldable to a more compact configuration;

The carrier unit may comprise an external storage box detachablyinterconnectable to its exterior walls;

The carrier unit may comprise a power supply detachably interconnectableto its exterior walls;

The carrier unit's transporting system may be motorized while poweredvia said power supply;

The carrier unit may further include a locking mechanism to insureinterlocking connection of the engagement surfaces;

The container unit may comprise non-rigid portions;

The carrier unit may comprise at least one manipulating arrangement,configurable between a stowed position in which the manipulatingarrangement is retracted, and a manipulating position in which themanipulating arrangement is extracted. The manipulating arrangement maybe a telescopic or foldable handle;

The manipulating arrangement may be a gripping handle, a D-grip handle,a T-grip handle, a flexible strap, etc.

EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure also encompasses embodiment as defined in thefollowing numbered phrases. It should be noted that these numberedembodiments intended to add to this disclosure and is not intended inany way to be limiting.

1. A coupling mechanism configured for readily detachably attaching afirst utility module to a second utility module, the coupling mechanismcomprising a male coupler at a face of one of the first utility moduleand the second utility module, and a female coupler at a face of theother one of the first utility module and the second utility module,said female coupler having a depressed locking location configured withat least one locking rib extending above a depressed surface and along asliding path, and having an open edge facing in a first sense; said malecoupler having a projecting locking location disposed in register withsaid depressed locking location and configured with at least one lockingtongue extending along said engaging sliding path at a second sense,opposite to said first sense, and configured for arresting engagement ata space between said locking rib and depressed surface, the couplingmechanism further comprises at least one locking member for arrestingthe first utility module with respect to said second utility module andpreventing sliding displacement along said sliding path.

2. The coupling mechanism of embodiment 1, wherein said female coupleris configured at the top face of the first utility module, and the malecoupler is configured at the bottom face of the second utility module.

3. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the at leastone locking rib extends substantially parallel to the sliding path.

4. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the at leastone locking rib extends substantially perpendicular and intersects thesliding path.

5. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the femalecoupler comprises a single locking rib extends at rear end of adepressed locking location and substantially perpendicular to thesliding path.

6. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the femalecoupler comprises two locking ribs extend at side edges of a depressedlocking location and disposed substantially parallel to the slidingpath.

7. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the femalecoupler comprises two locking ribs each extend at a respective side edgeof two neighboring depressed locking locations, said locking ribsdisposed substantially parallel to the sliding path.

8. A coupling mechanism for a utility assembly that comprises at least afirst utility module and at least a second utility module, said couplingmechanism is configured between the first utility module and the secondutility module; one of a top face of the first utility module and abottom face of the second utility module comprises at least onedepressed locking location configured with a locking rib, and at leastone locking latch arresting location; and the other one of said top faceof the first utility module and a bottom face of the second utilitymodule comprises at least one projecting portion with a locking tonguedisposed in register with said at least one depressed locking location,and at least one locking latch disposed in register with said at leastone locking latch arresting location; and wherein at a locked positionthe bottom face at least partially rests over the top face, and the atleast one projecting tongue is arrested by the corresponding at leastone locking rib and the at least one locking latch is arrested bycorresponding at least one locking latch arresting location, and furtherwherein disengaging the second utility module from the first utilitymodule is facilitated by disengaging the at least one locking latch fromthe at least one locking latch arresting location, such that engagingthe first and second utility modules into the locked position isprovided by sliding the second utility module with respect to the firstutility module along a sliding path defined by at least one of said atleast one locking rib and said at least one locking tongue.

9. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 8, wherein the at least onelocking rib extends substantially parallel to the sliding path.

10. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 8, wherein the at least onelocking rib extends substantially perpendicular and intersects thesliding path.

11. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 8, wherein a single lockingrib extends at rear end of a depressed locking location andsubstantially perpendicular to the sliding path.

12. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 8, wherein two locking ribsextend at side edges of a depressed locking location and disposedsubstantially parallel to the sliding path.

13. The coupling arrangement of embodiment 8, wherein two locking ribseach extend at a respective side edge of two neighboring depressedlocking locations, said locking ribs disposed substantially parallel tothe sliding path.

14. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 8 to 13, furthercomprising a release latch for displacing the locking latch intodisengagement from the locking latch arresting location can be disposedat a front face of the respective second utility module.

15. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 8 to 14, whereinthe at least one locking latch and the at least one locking latcharresting location are disposed at a front portion of the respectiveutility modules.

16. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 8 to 15, whereinthe locking latch is configured for displacement in a directionsubstantially normal to a respective face of a utility module.

17. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 8 to 16, whereinlocking latch is spring biased and configured for normally projectingfrom a face of the respective first or second utility module.

18. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 8 to 17, whereinthe locking latch is manipulable to be opened through an openingconfigured at a front wall of the respective utility module.

19. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, whereinone or both of the locking tongue and locking rib are configured with aslanting surface at corresponding orientation along the sliding path.

20. The coupling arrangement of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, whereinone or both of a front edge of the projecting portion (or the projectinglocking location) and a corresponding front edge of the depressedlocking location are slanted for gliding positioning of the secondutility module into locking position over the first utility module.

21. The coupling mechanism of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, whereinthe first utility module is configured for detachably attaching one ormore second utility modules thereto.

22. A coupling mechanism for a utility assembly comprising at least afirst utility module and at least a second utility module, said couplingmechanism is configured between the first utility module and the secondutility module and comprises at one of a top face of the first utilitymodule and a bottom face of the second utility module with at least onedepressed locking location configured with a locking rib, and at leastone locking latch arresting location; and the other one of said top faceof the first utility module and a bottom face of the second utilitymodule comprises at least one projecting portion with a locking tonguedisposed in register with said at least one depressed locking location,and at least one locking latch disposed in register with said at leastone locking latch arresting location; and wherein at a locked positionthe bottom face at least partially rests over the top face, and the atleast one projecting tongue is arrested by the corresponding at leastone locking rib and the at least one locking latch is arrested bycorresponding at least one locking latch arresting location, and furtherwherein disengaging the second utility module from the first utilitymodule is facilitated by disengaging the at least one locking latch fromthe at least one locking latch arresting location.

23. A utility assembly comprising at least a first utility module and atleast a second utility module, and comprising a coupling mechanismaccording to any one of embodiments 1 to 21, the coupling mechanismbeing configured between the first utility module and the second utilitymodule.

24. A utility assembly comprising at least a first utility module and atleast a second utility module, and comprising a coupling mechanism forreadily detachably attaching the first and second utility modules, thecoupling mechanism being configured between the first utility module andthe second utility module; said coupling mechanism comprising at one ofa top face of the first utility module and a bottom face of the secondutility module one or more depressed locking locations each configuredwith a locking rib, and at least one locking latch arresting location;and the other one of said top face of the first utility module and abottom face of the second utility module comprises one or moreprojecting portions each configured with a locking tongue disposed inregister with said one or more depressed locking locations, and at leastone locking latch disposed in register with said at least one lockinglatch arresting location; such that at a locked position, the bottomface of the second utility module at least partially rests over the topface of the first utility module, and the one or more projecting tonguesare arrested by the corresponding one or more locking ribs, and the atleast one locking latch is arrested by corresponding at least onelocking latch arresting location, thereby preventing slidingdisplacement between the first utility module and the second utilitymodule, and disengaging the second utility module from the first utilitymodule is facilitated by disengaging the at least one locking latch fromthe at least one locking latch arresting location.

25. The utility assembly of embodiment 24, wherein the first and secondutility modules are in a locking engagement when said one or moredepressed locking locations and the one or more projecting portions aredisposed behind one another.

26. The utility assembly of embodiment 24 or 25, wherein said one ormore depressed locking locations and said one or more locking latcharresting locations are configured at the top face of the first utilitymodule, and the one or more projecting portions and the at least onelocking latch are configured at the bottom face of the second utilitymodule.

27. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 26, wherein atleast one second utility module is configured for snap-type locking overthe first utility module.

28. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 27 whereinengaging the first and second utility modules into the locked positionis provided by sliding the second utility module with respect to thefirst utility module along a sliding path defined by at least one ofsaid at least one locking rib and said at least one locking tongue.

29. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 28, wherein theat least one locking rib extends substantially parallel to the slidingpath.

30. The utility assembly of embodiment 29, wherein the at least onelocking rib extends substantially perpendicular and intersects thesliding path.

31. The utility assembly of embodiment 29, wherein a single locking ribextends at rear end of a depressed locking location and substantiallyperpendicular to the sliding path.

32. The utility assembly of embodiment 29 wherein two locking ribsextend at side edges of a depressed locking location and disposedsubstantially parallel to the sliding path.

33. The utility assembly of embodiment 29, wherein two locking ribs eachextend at a respective side edge of two neighboring depressed lockinglocations, said locking ribs disposed substantially parallel to thesliding path.

34. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 33, wherein atop face of a first utility module interlocks with a bottom face of asecond utility module disposed thereover in a substantially fullyoverlapping relation, or with a bottom face of at least one secondutility module only partially overlapping therewith.

35. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 33, wherein thesecond utility module overlaps a significant portion of a first utilitymodule and is configured with a single release latch for displacingseveral locking latches articulated therewith.

36. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 35, furthercomprising a release latch for displacing the locking latch intodisengagement from the locking latch arresting location can be disposedat a front face of the respective second utility module.

37. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 36, wherein thelocking latch is configured for displacement in a directionsubstantially normal to a respective face of a utility module.

38. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 37, wherein thelocking latch is spring biased and configured for normally projectingfrom a face of the respective first or second utility module.

39. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 38, wherein twoor more second utility modules can be mounted over a first utilitymodule, each being independently detachable attachable over the firstutility module.

40. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 39, wherein atleast one of the first utility module and the second utility module areconfigured with a gliding surface facilitating displacement andpositioning the respective second utility module at the locking positionwith respect to the first utility module.

41. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 40, wherein oneor more of the utility modules is a container module, and the utilityassembly is a container assembly or a tool caddy.

42. The utility assembly of embodiment 41, wherein the container moduleis compartmented and optionally configured with sub-containers andsub-compartments.

43. The utility assembly of embodiment 41 or 42, wherein a top face ofthe container module is configured as a lid or as a functional componentof the container module.

44. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 41 to 43, wherein thecontainer modules is a locomoting container, configured with anarrangement for locomoting said utility assembly.

45. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 41 to 44, wherein thecontainer modules is configured with a carrying arrangement disposed atany one or more of its faces, optionally being a carrying handle.

46. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 40, wherein oneor more of the utility modules is a soft-shell container with at least arigid face portion.

47. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 40, whereinsaid first utility module is a mobile carrier unit.

48. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 47, furthercomprising a locking mechanism for preventing unintentional separationof the modules while they are interlocked.

49. The utility assembly of any one of embodiments 24 to 48, wherein thefirst utility module is configured for detachably attaching at least twosecond utility modules thereto.

50. A mobile carrier unit comprising at least one carrier engagementsurface, compatible for interlocking engagement in a detachable mannerwith a first engagement surface of a utility module, said carrierengagement surface having (i) one or more depressed locking locationseach configured with a locking rib and at least one locking latcharresting location, configured for engagement with said first engagementsurface of a utility module that comprises at least one locking latchand one or more projecting portions, each projecting portion beingconfigured with a locking tongue, or (ii) at least one locking latch andone or more projecting portions each configured with a locking tonguefor engagement with said first engagement surface of a utility modulethat comprises one or more depressed locking locations, each depressedlocking locations configured with a locking rib and at least one lockinglatch arresting location.

51. The mobile carrier unit of embodiment 50, wherein once associatedwith the utility module, said locking tongue becomes disposed inregister with said one or more depressed locking locations, and at leastone locking latch become disposed in register with said at least onelocking latch arresting location.

52. The mobile carrier unit of embodiment 50 or 51, configured fordetachable interlocking engagement with one or more utility modules,each utility module comprising a first engagement surface.

53. The mobile carrier unit of any one of embodiments 50 to 52, furthercomprising at least one of a manipulating arrangement and a locomotionsystem.

54. An assembly comprising a mobile carrier unit of any one ofembodiments 50 to 53 having at least one carrier engagement surface, andat a least one utility module having a first engagement surface, theutility module being detachably interlocked with the mobile carrier unitby engaging said first engagement surface with said carrier engagementsurface.

55. The assembly of embodiment 54, wherein the mobile carrier unit andthe at least one utility module are detachably interlocked with oneanother by a dovetail engagement mechanism, that comprises laterallyprojecting shoulders configured on one of the carrier engagementsurfaces and the first engagement surface of a utility module, and ashoulder receiving recess configured on the other one of one of thecarrier engagement surfaces and the first engagement surface of autility module; where said laterally projecting shoulders are configuredfor sliding engagement with said shoulder receiving recess.

56. The assembly of embodiment 55, wherein one or both of the carrierengagement surfaces and the first engagement surface of a respectiveutility module are configured with depressions, each accommodatingrespective laterally projecting locking shoulders.

57. The assembly of embodiment 54, wherein the mobile carrier unit andthe at least one utility module are detachably interlocked with oneanother by an undercut engagement mechanism, comprising lateralprojections configured on one of the carrier engagement surfaces and thefirst engagement surface of a container unit, and a receiving recessconfigured on the other one of one of the carrier engagement surfacesand the first engagement surface of a utility module; where said lateralprojections are configured for engagement with said receiving recess,such that interlocking engagement of the utility module and the carrierunit takes place by placing the first engagement surface of a utilitymodule over the carrier engagement surface, such that the utilitymodule's first engaging elements are disposed shifted over therespective carrier engaging elements of the carrier unit, and are thenslidingly shifted to obtain sliding interlocking engagementtherebetween.

58. The assembly of any one of embodiments 54 to 57, further comprisinga locking mechanism configured for preventing unintentional detaching ofthe utility module from the carrier unit.

59. The assembly of embodiment 58, wherein the locking mechanismcomprises a locking pin that is configured for snapingly protruding fromone of the engagement surfaces into a designated nook on the otherengagement surface.

60. An interface coupling module comprising at least one engagementsurface, compatible for interlocking engagement in a detachable mannerwith a first engagement surface of a utility module, said interfacecoupling module comprising an engagement surface having (i) one or moredepressed locking locations each configured with a locking rib and atleast one locking latch arresting location, configured for engagementwith said first engagement surface of a utility module that comprises atleast one locking latch and one or more projecting portions, eachprojecting portion being configured with a locking tongue, or (ii) atleast one locking latch and one or more projecting portions eachconfigured with a locking tongue for engagement with said firstengagement surface of a utility module that comprises one or moredepressed locking locations, each depressed locking locations configuredwith a locking rib and at least one locking latch arresting location

61. The interface coupling module of embodiment 60, being configured fordetachable or fixed attachment to a surface of an object.

62. The interface coupling module of embodiment 60 or 61, being a cargointerface module for a utility vehicle configured for attaching one ormore utility modules to the vehicle.

63. The interface module of embodiment 60 or 61, being a surface mountfor attaching utility modules

64. The interface module of embodiment 60 or 61, being a tool mount or atool rack.

65. The interface module of embodiment 60 or 61, being a belt mount formounting of utility modules to a workers belt;

66. The interface module of embodiment 60 or 61, being an interfacemount module for coupling two utility modules to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosedherein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice,embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 6G are directed to a first example of a locking mechanism,wherein:

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a container assembly according toan example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the container assembly ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a bottom, front perspective view of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1D is a bottom, rear perspective view of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a sectioned portion along line A-A in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a sectioned portion along line B-B in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2C is a sectioned portion along line C-C in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are consecutive steps illustrating locking engagement ofthe locking tongue of the second container with the respective lockingrib of the first container;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are consecutive steps illustrating locking engagement ofthe locking latch of the second container with the respective lockinglatch arresting location of the first container;

FIGS. 5A to 5E schematically demonstrate modularity of a containerassembly according to the disclosure;

FIGS. 6A to 6G are various combinations of a modular container assemblyaccording to examples of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A to 12C are directed to a carrier unit and another example of alocking mechanism, wherein:

FIG. 7A is container carrier assembly according to an example of thedisclosure, illustrating a top, left perspective view of a containerunit, mounted on top of a carrier unit;

FIG. 7B is a top, left perspective view of a second container unit,mounted on top of a first container unit, which in turn is mounted ontop of a carrier unit according to an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a top, left perspective view of a carrier unit, illustratingthe carrier engagement surface in further detail;

FIGS. 8B and 8C are a top and a bottom perspective view of a carrierunit, illustrating the container unit's first engagement surface infurther detail;

FIG. 9A is a side section along line F-F in FIG. 7A, illustrating thecontainer unit and the carrier unit unattached;

FIG. 9B is a side section along line F-F in FIG. 7A illustrating thecontainer unit and the carrier unit attached;

FIG. 9C is a close-up view of FIG. 9B;

FIG. 9D is a sectioned view along line F-F in FIG. 7A illustrating theinterlocking engagement of the carrier engaging elements together withthe container unit's first engaging elements;

FIG. 10A is a sectioned view along line D-D in FIG. 7A, illustrating thelocking mechanism;

FIG. 10B is an enlarged image of the portion marked M in FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A illustrates different sizes of container units forming anassembly, at a tilted orientation;

FIG. 11B illustrates an assembled configuration balanced verticallyrelatively to the ground;

FIG. 12A shows a container assembly wherein the female coupler comprisestwo locking ribs extending at respective side edges of two neighboringdepressed locking locations;

FIG. 12B is a section along line H-H in FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C illustrates the utility module apart from the container andflipped, so as to expose the mating coupling mechanism.

FIGS. 13A-13D, 14A-14C, 15A-15B, 16A-16B, 17, 18A-18C, and 19-24 aredifferent embodiments and configurations of utility modules and utilityassemblies according examples of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first being made to FIGS. 1A to 6G, directed to a firstconfiguration of a coupling mechanism. For sake of convenience theutility modules are exemplified as containers and respectively theutility assembly is illustrates as a tool caddy. It is howeverappreciated that the utility modules can be of any type, shape or size,as discussed hereinabove and as will be exemplified below.

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1A to 4D, illustrating a containerassembly generally designated 20, comprising four containers 22, 24, 26and 28 disposed in a triple stage configuration, the stages designatedA, B and C. In the illustrated example containers 24 and 26 of thesecond stage are half-size and overlap the footprint of the first stagecontainer 22 and the third stage container 28, wherein the firstcontainer 22 is for example a hand tool container and containers 24 to28 are organizers or the like.

The term ‘first container’ as used herein denotes a container bearingover a top face thereof at least one other container, said at least oneother container denoted herein as a ‘second container’. It is thusappreciated that a second container of a container assembly comprisingthree or more stages of containers' serves as second container whenreferred to the first stage container, and as a first container whenreferred to a third stage container mounted thereover. Accordingly, inthe illustrated example of FIGS. 1A-2C, container 22 is a firstcontainer and containers 24 and 26 are second containers, whilst theyfunction as first containers when discussing locking arrangement withrespect to third stage container 28.

Each of the containers is configured with a lid L constituting a topface of the respective container, said lids being pivotally attached andsecurely articulated to the respective container through a togglelocking latch 29. Each top face (see FIG. 1B) is configured with severaldepressed locking locations 32 and it is seen that the at least twodepressed locking locations are disposed behind one another alongimaginary lines I, II and III (though not necessarily aligned).

Each such depressed locking location is in turn configured with alaterally projecting locking rib 36 extending from a rear portion of thedepressed locking location 32 towards a front face of the container. Thelocking rib 36 has a flat top surface 38 substantially flush with a topsurface of the respective lid L, and a slanting bottom surface 40. Afront portion 46 of the depressed locking location 32 is slanted too, inthe same orientation as bottom surface 40 (i.e. substantially parallelthereto).

Furthermore, the top face, namely lid L of the containers, is configuredwith at least one locking latch arresting location in the form of arecess 50 disposed at a front portion of the respective top face andconfigured with a slanted rear wall portion 52 and a right angled frontwall portion 53.

A bottom face 54 of each container 22, 24, 26 and 28 is configured withseveral projecting portions 56, extending in register with the depressedlocking locations 32, and it is seen that the at least two projectingportions 56 are disposed behind one another along the imaginary lines I,II and III (though not necessarily aligned).

Each projecting portions 56 is configured with a locking tongue 60laterally projecting rearwards and having a slanted surface 62corresponding with slanting surface 40 of locking rib 36. Also, a frontportion 66 of the projecting portions 56 slants substantially parallelto the slanted surface 62 of the locking tongue 60.

It is essential that the at least two depressed locking locations 32 andthe at least two projecting portions 56 be disposed behind one another(though not necessarily aligned), as exemplified by imaginary lines I,II and III (though not necessarily aligned).

A plunger-like locking latch 70 is disposed at a front portion of eachcontainer, said locking latch 70 disposed in register with the recesses50 and configured with a slanting rear wall portion 72 and a rightangled front wall portion 74, corresponding with the sloping wallportions of the recesses 50. The locking latch 70 has an elongate fingerengaging aperture 73 (FIG. 2A) accessible through an aperture 75 formedin register at a front wall face of the respective second container,said locking latch 70 being normally biased to project under force ofcoiled spring 71, such that the locking latch 70 is axially displaceablebetween a projecting, locked position and a temporary retracted positionduring transition into the locked position.

The locking latch 70 is typically single-handedly manipulable betweenits locking position and its releasing position, such that manipulationof the locking latch to disengage it from the locking latch arrestinglocation 50 can be easily facilitated using one hand simultaneously withgripping the carrying handle 80. As seen in FIGS. 1A-2C, manipulatingthe finger engaging aperture 73, being part of locking latch 70, isdisposed opposite to and at finger-reach distance from the carryinghandle 80 when the handle is at its carrying position tilted upwards.This enables a grab, release and go detachment of the second utilitymodule from the first utility module in a simple single-handedoperation.

When it is required to detachably attach a second container over a firstcontainer, the former is placed over the later (FIG. 3A), placing theprojecting portions 56 within the depressed locking location 32 (FIG.3B) with the locking tongues 60 engaging below and being graduallyarrested by the respective locking ribs 36 arresting is obtained (FIG.3C) until complete arresting is obtained (FIG. 3D). Simultaneously, asthe locking tongues 60 arrest by the locking ribs 36, the locking latch70 of the second container slides into the locking latch arrestinglocation (recess 50) and finally snaps into locking engagementtherewith. It is noted (FIGS. 4A to 4D) that first (FIGS. 4B and 4C) thelocking latch 70 displaces upwards against the biasing effect of spring71, and when the second container reaches the final locking positionover the first container, the locking latch 70 plunges into arrestingposition within the recess 50.

At the locked position the second container is attached over the topface of the first container, such that they can be moved as anintegrated unit. Detaching of a second container from a first containeris easily facilitated by unlocking, obtained by displacing the lockinglatch 70 upwards against the biasing effect of spring 71, whereby thesecond container can be displaced with respect to the first containerand detached therefrom.

As further seen in FIGS. 1A-4D, each of the containers 22, 24, 26 and28, is configured at a front face thereof with a tiltable carryinghandle 80, for carrying a respective container or the entire containerassembly 20. Also seen, some of the containers can be configured withfender-like protectors 90 at their corners.

Further attention is now directed to FIGS. 5A to 5E demonstratingexamples of modularity of a container assembly according to thedisclosure. FIG. 5A is a planner top view of a first container 94 andFIGS. 5B to 5E illustrate second containers superimposed over the firstcontainer 94. In FIG. 5B a second container 96 is substantially as bigas the first container 94, i.e. having the same footprint. In FIG. 5C asecond container 98 is as wide as the first container 94, howevernarrower in depth, and disposed at a front portion of the firstcontainer. In FIG. 5D two second containers 99A and 99B are mounted overthe first container 94 and occupy substantially the entire footprintthereof, whereby each of containers 99A and 99B is independentlyattachable and detachable from the first container 94, as exemplifiedhereinabove. In FIG. 5E two second containers 100A and 100B arepositioned over the first container 94, occupying the entire widththough narrower in depth and extending from a front portion of the firstcontainer 94.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A to 6K, there are illustrated several examples ofcontainer assemblies, subassemblies and their components. FIG. 6Aillustrates a disassembled container assembly collectively designated104 and comprising a base container 106, a chest of drawers module 108comprising three drawers, a tool caddy module 110, a compartmentedstorage module 112 and a half-sized compartmented storage module 114(typically two of which). It is noted that the base container isconfigured for locomoting and comprises at a rear thereof wheels 116 anda telescopic handle 118. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 6B through 6D,various container assemblies are illustrated, the arrangement is suchthat in practice any module can constitute either a first container or asecond container, as defined hereinabove (though it is more likely thatbase container 106 serves as a first container).

FIGS. 6E and 6F illustrate a chest of drawers module 108, illustratedseparately in FIG. 6E and mounted over a similar drawer module 108 inFIG. 6F. It is appreciated that the drawers of each module can be lockedat their closed position to prevent spontaneous opening thereof whilstcarrying a module. Furthermore, each module 108 is configured with apair of carrying handles 115 disposed at top side wall portions thereof,to facilitate carrying of the module.

In FIG. 6G there is illustrated a subassembly comprising a firstcontainer in the form of a tool caddy module 110 and second container inthe form of a compartmented storage module 112 attached thereto, whilstthe lid 119 of the first container is open facilitating access to thecontents thereof.

Further attention is now directed to FIGS. 7A to 16B, showing a thirdaspect of the disclosure, namely a utility module being a mobile carrierunit and comprising at least one carrier engagement surface, compatiblefor interlocking engagement in a detachable manner with a firstengagement surface of a second utility module. For sake of example only,the second utility module exemplified in the annexed drawings is in theform of a utility container. It is however appreciated that the utilitymodules can be of any type, shape or size, as discussed hereinabove andas will be exemplified below. Accordingly, the term container unit asused in the following description denotes any type of a utility module,as discussed herein the specification.

Attention is first directed to FIG. 7A, illustrating a container carrierassembly generally designated 200 comprising a container unit 202(utility module) mounted on top of a carrier unit 206. The carrier unit206 is equipped with a telescopic manipulating handle 210, a pair ofrear wheels 208 and a set of horizontally stabilizing support legs 212at a front portion of the carrier unit 206. The carrier unit 206 and thecontainer unit 202 are engaged in an interlocking engagement via theirengagement surfaces, i.e. a carrier engagement surface 216 at a top faceof the a carrier unit 206 (best seen in FIG. 8A), and the containerunit's first engagement surface 220 (namely its bottom face; best seenin FIGS. 8B and 8C). The container unit 202 is configured with yet asecond engagement surface 226 (namely the container's top face),simulating the carrier engagement surface 216. The container unit 202further comprises a locking mechanism 230 configured for arrestingwithin a respective notch 231 at the carrier engagement surface 216, tothereby to prevent displacement and separation of the engagementsurfaces 216 and 220 once they are interlocked, as later will beexplained.

The carrier engagement surface 216 seen in greater detail in FIG. 8A,illustrates a top perspective view of a carrier unit 206 with thetelescopic handle 210 in a retracted position. The carrier engagementsurface 216 comprises multiple carrier engaging elements 236, depressedfrom the surface, and designated for interlockingly receiving respectivecontainer unit's first engaging elements 240, projecting from the firstengagement surface (bottom face) 220 of the container unit 202.

Each carrier engaging element 236, is a so-called female coupler and hasa depressed locking location configured with at least one locking ribextending above a depressed surface and along a sliding path and havingan open edge facing in a first sense. As seen in the drawings, it isgenerally constituted by a receiving recessed depression 244 in thecarrier engagement surface 216, configured with a pair of facing lockingribs 248, forming the aforementioned recess. The locking ribs 248 extendsubstantially parallel to sliding path of the container unit 202 withrespect to the carrier unit 206, said path (designated P in FIGS. 7A and10B). Further noted, side walls 250 of depressions 244 are sloped inorder to allow directing of a container unit's first engaging element240, mounted upon it, to its interlocking position.

A corresponding coupler configured at the container unit is a so-calledmale coupler comprising a projecting locking location disposed inregister with said depressed locking location and configured with atleast one locking tongue extending along said engaging sliding path at asecond sense, opposite to said first sense, and configured for arrestingengagement at a space between said locking rib and depressed surface. Asseen, a single container unit's engaging element 240 is generallyconstituted a downwardly projecting outwards protrusion 258, projectingfrom the bottom face 220 of the container 202.

In order to lock the container 202 over the carrier unit 206, uponplacing the container 202 over the carrier engagement surface 216 ofcarrier unit 206 one must mount the container unit's first engagingelements 240 into the depressions 244 and then slide the container 202along the sliding path P (i.e. towards the locking ribs 248) so that theengaging elements 240 engage below said projecting ribs/shoulders 248and the engaging elements 240 are thus arrested at a space between saidlocking ribs and the depressed surface, as seen in FIG. 9C. interlockingengagement of the container (or any other utility module) can befacilitated by a single male-female locking mechanism of theaforementioned type, or by a plurality of such locking mechanism, at anylocation over the carrier unit 206.

The shape and size of the locking members is modular as far as thedepression 244 in the carrier engagement surface 216, can be single ordouble in size (e.g. 236 and 236A in FIG. 8A, respectively), so it islarge enough to accommodate two container unit's first engaging elements240, or two neighboring container unit's first engaging elements.Locking/engaging and detaching of this configuration is similar to asingle locking module.

The engagement and locking mechanism is modular in the sense that anyfirst article can be easily and readily articulated to a surface of anysecond article, wherein the articulation is strong and firm (i.e.substantially motionless).

With further reference to FIG. 7B, there are illustrated two containers202A and 202B articulated over one another, the arrangement being suchthat the bottom face of the intermediate container 202A serves forengaging with the top face of the carrier unit 206 and likewise, the topface of the intermediate container 202A serves for engaging with thebottom face of the top container 202B, as discussed herein above. Thearrangement is such that each stage is lockingly secured by the lockingmechanism 230, wherein each stage can be detached from the stage belowupon releasing locking engagement of the respective locking mechanism230.

The locking mechanism 230 is shown in further detail in FIGS. 10A and10B. The locking mechanism comprises a locking pin 231 normally biasedby spring 233 such that a tip 235 projects from a bottom surface of thecontainer 202 (see also FIG. 8B) and is configured for snap arrestingwithin a respective notch 231 configured at the engagement surface 216of the carrier unit 206 (seen also in FIG. 8A). The locking pin 231 isslidable within a race at the side wall of the container, and comprisesa finger manipulating portion at 237 (accessible through an opening atthe side wall of the container), for displacing the locking pin, againstthe biasing effect of spring 233, into its disengaged position, thusfacilitating sliding the container along the path P into disengagementfrom the carrier unit (or respective other container or utility module).The carrier unit 206 is further configured at a bottom end, with a pairof stability supports 264 (FIGS. 8A, 11B), configured for supporting thecarrier unit, with or without a container attached thereto, at anupright, i.e. vertical position, thus preventing it from tipping over,in particular with containers or any other utility module articulatedthereto. Stability supports 264 can be, according to a particularconfiguration, an extension of the telescopic handle 210, whereby thestability supports are functional as such only when the handle is fullycontracted. However, in the illustration of FIGS. 16A-16B the utilityassembly 253 is maintained at its upright position owing to saidstability supports 264 and further bearing over a side face 266 of theintermediate container 202A, being substantially flush with a bottomface of the stability supports 264.

With further reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C there is illustrated amodification of articulation between a first utility module (container300 in the particular example) and a second utility module (twowork-piece supports 304 in the particular example). The container 300 issubstantially similar to that illustrated in the previous examples,wherein the cover/lid 308 is configured with a plurality of femalecoupler members 310, each configured with a depressed locking locationand a pair of locking ribs extending above the depressed surface andalong a sliding path. The opposing locking ribs 312A and 312B have anopen edge facing in a first sense (the introducing direction).

In the examples hereinbefore, engagement with a corresponding malecoupler took place within the vicinity of a single coupling element,i.e. over two engaging ribs 312A and 312B of a single depressed lockinglocation facing each other. However, in the example of FIGS. 12A-12Cengagement of the work-piece supports 304 takes place over two engagingribs 312A and 312B of two neighboring depressed locking locations 308Aand 308B. Accordingly, the male coupler of the two work-piece supports304 is configured for arresting with the two engaging ribs 312A and 312Bby two individual (separate) male couplers 316A and 316B, eachconfigured for arresting one of the respective engaging ribs 312A and312B. Arresting of the male projections 316 takes place as discussedbefore, by arresting below the respective engaging ribs, within thespace at the depressed locking location. In spite of the relative narrowbody structure of the work-piece supports 304, they are each configuredwith a locking mechanism 330, similar to locking mechanism 230 discussedhereinbefore.

Turning now to FIGS. 13A-13D, 14A-14C, 15A-15B, 16A-16B, 17, 18A-18C,and 19-24, there are illustrated various examples of utility modules,utility assemblies and various configurations according to thedisclosure.

FIG. 13A illustrates a utility module assembly generally designated 400,comprising a wheeled base container 402 supporting an intermediatecontainer 404, bearing in turn a cooler box 406 and a power unit 408disposed side by side over the intermediate container. At least theintermediate container 404 is configured at a bottom face thereof with amale-type coupling arrangement, for attachment over the cover of thebase container, said cover configured with a respective female couplingarrangement. The cover of the intermediate container 404 is configuredwith a similar female coupling arrangement, and can thus engage with onethe utility modules 406 and 408, each configured at its bottom face witha respective male-type coupling arrangement.

It is seen in FIGS. 13B through 13D that the intermediate container 404is fitted with a pivotal carrying handle 418 articulated at the top sidewalls thereof. The carrying handle has a thickness t and the arrangementis such that at the stowed/folded position (FIGS. 13B, 13D) the handle418 is received within a peripheral groove 422 extending over a top edgeof the intermediate container 404 and a peripheral groove 424 extendingat a bottom edge of the utility modules 408 and 406 (cooler box 406 anda power unit 408), such that the handle 418 does not constitute anobstacle in mounting and interlocking a utility module over anotherutility module. It is also seen that at least some of the utilitymodules are configured with side handles 428 serving both as carryinghandles and as bumpers.

FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate a first utility module in the form of acontainer 430 supporting two detachable workpiece-piece supports 432(attached as discussed herein before with reference to FIGS. 12A-12C).FIG. 14C illustrates a utility module in the form of a work surface 436configured with a vice race 438, so that a vice 440, or other workshoptools can be used. The workpiece-piece supports 432 are configured witha male type coupling having projecting locking locations 444 forengaging with respective female couplers.

In FIGS. 15A and 15B there is illustrated a back-rack 450 being asubstantially rigid platform having a carrying handle 451 and configuredat one side thereof with a pair of adjustable shoulder harnesses 452,and an adjustable waist harness 454. The other side of the back-rack isconfigured as a universal utility mounting platform 458, configured witha plurality of attachment locations 460. In the illustrated example allattachment locations 460 are so-called female attachments (as discussedhereinabove in detail), however it is appreciated that the attachmentlocations can just as well be male-type attachments, or a combination ofmale and female attachments. According to yet an example (not shown),one side of the carrying platform can be configured with male-typeattachments, and an opposite side of the platform be configured withfemale-type attachments, wherein a used has the choice of attaching theplatform to the harness system at an orientation of choice.

In FIG. 16A there is illustrated a utility module in the form of awheeled carrying unit 464 (shown from a bottom side), similar to thatdisclosed in connection with FIGS. 7A to 11B. The carrying unit 464comprises a rigid platform 466 fitted at a top face thereof with afemale/male attaching arrangement in accordance with the disclosure,such that any utility module according to the disclosure can bedetachably attached thereto. Also provided is a telescopic manipulatinghandle 468 and a pair of wheels 466. The carrying unit can be fittedwith a collapsible support plate configuring it into a pushcart (notshown).

FIG. 16B shows a utility assembly 276 comprising a wheeled basecontainer 278 interlocked with a first intermediate container 280mounted thereover (constituting a second stage of the assembly), and asecond intermediate container 282 mounted thereover (constituting athird stage of the assembly 276), there being yet a fourth stage utilitymodule container 284 mounted over the second intermediate container 282.Whilst the second intermediate container 282 has a wider footprint thanthe first intermediate container 280, this does not constitute anydifficulty as far as attaching it over the second intermediate container282, and further, the top face of the second intermediate container 282has a great surface suited for articulation thereof of several fourthstage utility modules (only one shown).

FIG. 17 shows a carrying bag 281 having soft side walls 283 (in theexample illustrated made of fabric), however fitted with (integrally ordetachable) an articulation platform base 284, said articulationplatform made of a firm rigid material and is configured with fourmale-type coupling locations 288 of the type disclosed hereinabove. Thecarrying bag 281 has a carrying strap 290 useful for hand held orshoulder carrying of the bag. FIG. 18A shows a rigid coupling platform300, configured with a plurality of female coupling locations (of thetype disclosed herein) and further configured with bolt eyes 298 forsecuring to any desired surface, and carrying bars 313.

The coupling platform 300 can be attached for example to a truck bed 306(FIG. 20), directly over the truck bed or over a cargo containerattached to the truck. The coupling platform 300 can be attached to awall, as in FIG. 18B, wherein a plurality of various utility modules canbe articulated thereto. For example, utility modules can be an electriccharger 315 of a power tool, a wall mounted sorting container 314, ahand tool rack 318 (FIG. 18C), a tool coupling adaptor 320 (FIG. 18C),etc.

In FIG. 19 there is illustrated a belt-mount 319 configured as a femalecoupler according to the disclosure, wherein a tool 321 or a bag/pouchconfigured with a male coupler can be detachably attached thereto.

In FIG. 21 there is illustrated a wall rack 326 comprising four utilitymodules in the form of articulation platforms 328 (mountable atdifferent elevations about the wall supports 327) each configured forbearing and attaching thereto any utility module in accordance with thedisclosure.

In FIG. 22 there is illustrated a mobile work stand 340 comprising awheeled base 342 supporting two racks 344 with four utility modules inthe form of articulation platforms 346 (mountable at differentelevations about the wall supports 327) each configured for bearing andattaching thereto any utility module (e.g. containers 348) in accordancewith the disclosure.

In FIG. 23 the utility module is in the form of a dolly 352 configuredwith wheels 354 and having a top surface configured with an array offemale type couplings, as discussed.

In FIG. 24 there is illustrated a utility coupling platform 358 suitedfor articulation to any desired article (e.g. a bag, a tool, etc.). theutility coupling platform is configured at least at one face thereofwith a male coupling locations 360 mimicking the coupling arrangement ofthe disclosure, rendering it suitable for articulation with a couplingsystem according to the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A utility modules assembly comprising a firstutility module, a second utility module, and a coupling mechanismconfigured for readily detachably attaching the first utility module tothe second utility module, the coupling mechanism comprising: at leasttwo or more male couplers at a face of either one of the first utilitymodule or the second utility module, and at least two or more femalecouplers at a face of the other one of the first utility module and thesecond utility module, wherein each of the at least two female couplerscomprise a depressed bottom surface and four sidewalls, and furthercomprise an open edge facing in a first direction of a sliding path,wherein the at least two or more male couplers each have a projectinglocking location in register with a depressed locking location of eachof the at least two female couplers, and configured with at least onelocking tongue extending along the sliding path in a second direction,opposite to the first direction, each one of the at least two or moremale couplers being configured for arresting engagement at a spacebetween a locking rib and a depressed surface of each of the two femalecouplers, respectively, wherein the at least two female couplers arepositioned adjacent to each other and share a common sidewall, thecommon sidewall having two locking ribs extending horizontally inopposite directions perpendicular to the sliding path, and wherein thecoupling mechanism further comprises at least one locking latch disposedat a front portion of one of the first and second utility modules, andat least one locking latch arresting location disposed at a frontportion of the other of the first and second utility module, the atleast one locking latch and the at least one locking latch arrestinglocation being disposed in register.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, whereinlocking ribs of each of the adjacent female couplers extend oppositelyone from the other from the common side wall of the at least twoadjacent female couplers.
 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thelocking ribs of adjacent female couplers are coplanar.
 4. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein each of the at least two female couplers comprise anidentical vertical distance defined between the locking rib and thedepressed surface.
 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least twofemale couplers are configured at the top face of the first utilitymodule, and the at least two male couplers are configured at the bottomface of the second utility module.
 6. The assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a release latch at a front face of the second utility modulefor disengaging the locking latch from the locking latch arrestinglocation.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one lockinglatch and the at least one locking latch arresting location arecentrally disposed with respect to any at least two adjacent femalecouplers.
 8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking latch isconfigured for displacement in a direction substantially normal to arespective face of a utility module.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe locking latch is manipulable to project from a face of therespective first or second utility module.
 10. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the locking latch is spring biased and configured for normallyprojecting from a face of the respective first or second utility module.11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking latch is manipulable tobe opened through an opening configured at a front wall of therespective utility module.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein one of afront edge of the projecting portion and a corresponding front edge ofthe depressed locking location is slanted for gliding positioning of thesecond utility module into locking position over the first utilitymodule.
 13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first utility module isconfigured for detachably attaching one or more second utility modulesthereto.
 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first andsecond utility modules is a container module, and the other of the firstand second utility modules is a container assembly or a tool caddy. 15.The assembly of claim 14, wherein a top face of the container module isconfigured as a lid or as a functional component of the containermodule.
 16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the container module isconfigured with a carrying arrangement disposed at any one or more ofits faces.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the carryingarrangement is a carrying handle.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, whereinone of the first and second utility modules is a soft-shell containerwith at least a rigid face portion.
 19. The assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid first utility module is a mobile carrier unit.
 20. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said first utility module is an interface couplingplate configured for mounting onto a rigid planar surface of an object.21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said interface coupling platebeing a cargo interface module for a utility vehicle configured forattaching one or more utility modules to the vehicle.
 22. The assemblyof claim 20, wherein said interface coupling plate being a tool mount ora tool rack.
 23. The assembly of claim 1, wherein both of a front edgeof the projecting portion and a corresponding front edge of thedepressed locking location are slanted for gliding positioning of thesecond utility module into locking position over the first utilitymodule.